Paws 'n Roll

20/08/2024

How many of you have heard me saying that dogs will benefit from a fitness and conditioning program?

🐾 Do you have an active dog?

🐾 Or working towards training a working Assistance Dog?

🐾 Do you know that Assistance Dogs are recognised working dogs that have to sustain a level of endurance which is so much higher than the average pet dog?

🐾 Whether you are training a working dog or just want to give your pet dog more confidence, skills and a better fitness to enjoy life…

🎉🎉 you’ve got to join this program! 🎉🎉

The hounds, Bear and I are already working through this fun, engaging and super useful program and we’re loving it!

Megan has a wealth of knowledge and has developed an amazing step by step program!
Don’t miss this opportunity.
It’s only open until Friday!

19/08/2024

Behaviour is communication

It can be all too easy to look at a behaviour, particularly one that we find problematic, as an isolated thing that just occurs, or is put down to false and outdated ideas like 'dominance' or 'stubbornness'.

Think of behaviour as a symptom - underlying that behaviour there is an emotion driving that behaviour. Behaviours don't happen just 'because', there is always a reason for them and so it's up to us to learn how to understand what they are trying to tell us so we can work out what that emotion is.

And at the root of it all there will be a need. Something that is causing the dog to feel that particular emotion and so lead them to show the behaviour that we are seeing. Once we have discovered the emotion the dog is feeling, we can work out what the dog needs and help them to get whatever that may be.

The three pictures here give an example:

Behaviour: the dog is barking at something. If you look at their posture and body language the body is leaning back, away from what they are barking at. The ears are back, whiskers flared, and eyes fixed on something. The front paw is slightly lifted and there is a back paw in the air, and the back end of the dog may be lowered towards the ground a little.

Emotion: what the overall picture of the body language is telling us is that the dog is scared of the thing they are barking at, so the emotion they are feeling is fear.

Need: What this dog needs is immediate space from the thing that is bothering them, so they can feel relief from that fear and feel safer again. What they need going on is an increased feeling of safety and security, more trust in us to help them if they need it or get them out of a situation if it's too much for them.

When we can understand the need and emotion driving the behaviour we can understand our dogs far better and see where they need our help.

18/08/2024

Mr Jackson said are we sure my nose is going to fit??
Every dog takes to Scentwork differently, but as confidence increases they all love playing the game.

This handsome boy is working amazingly. Slow is smooth and the best things take time 😍

Can’t wait to see more of Sniffer Jackson
Good work Team 🌟🌟🌟🌟

18/08/2024

Gorgeous Lua!
Her nose is made for sniffing, and that’s just what it’ll do…one of these days her nose will sniff all over…to find her target scent 🤣😍

Today her job was to teach mum how to read Lua’s body language in preparation for blind searches!

Such a good job Team Lulu 🌟🌟🌟🌟

18/08/2024

Sniffer Dogs are happy dogs!
Roman was the happiest lil doggo in his private class on Saturday!
He is a little star, a great independent worker and oh so enthusiastic.

Watch this space and he’s is catching up on this game super fast!! Can’t wait to see what the furture hold for this super sniffer
Good job Team Roman 🌟🌟🌟🌟

13/08/2024

Want to know a secret🤫
This isn't just for puppies either.✅
Puppies need careful and controlled exposure to EVERYTHING we encounter in our daily life.
I know it can be so tempting to reduce their world for fear of exposure to pathogens but I really do encourage everyone to get out there, but carefully.
There are lots of ways we can encourage safe and early socialisation and acclimation (another graphic in comments about this).
As tempting as it is to seclude and limit their life to just your house or yard, it can create some serious behavioural issues.
If you do have a new puppy, this graphic is a great way to help them make a positive association with the world and all it offers.
You can do this, but carefully 🙂

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

13/08/2024

Little Miss KC has joined us after again after taking a small break from sniffing.

However she certainly hasn’t forgotten how to search!
This multi talented girl is not only a super sniffer but also a fully qualified and highly task trained Assistance Dog!

Awesome work Team KC 🌟🌟🌟🌟

13/08/2024

It was very difficult to choose which one of Django’s searches to showcase because this boy is definitely proving that his trainer couldn’t be more right about Ridgebacks.
These dogs are made for sniffing…and that’s just what he’ll do!
His natural tracking ability allowed him to just naturally find the odour, like that, in less than 10 seconds!

I guess someone will be ready for a trial really soon.
Fanatics job Team Django 🌟🌟🌟🌟

13/08/2024

We have extensively prepared our sniffer dogs to find the odour everywhere! Even where apparently there is nothing to search!

But they’re too good to fall for their trainer’s tricks!
Miss Violet show us the quintessential light 💡 bulb moment!
Look at that beautiful full body turn when she realised she has smelled the target odour and she finds it perfectly!!
What a super sniffer!!
Go Team Violet 🌟🌟🌟🌟

13/08/2024

The environment can be very distracting however when all of a sudden the dog recognises the odour in the air…that’s when the magic happens!

Watch Akina work out this odour beautifully!!

So much learning for this team too!!
Dream Team Akina! Keep up the good work 🌟🌟🌟🌟

13/08/2024

And a beautiful sunny weekend was just what we needed to introduce our intermediate Sniffers to outdoor searches!

It was so lovely to watch these talented sniffers work in a new environment full of distractions but oh they’ve all stepped up to the challenge!

Handsome Mowgli has found so much confidence since starting his journey into scentwork. I love how his humans get so much joy watching him do what he does best!

I love how everyone is involved in the learning process!!

Amazing work Team Mowgli 🌟🌟🌟🌟

12/08/2024

Mr Cooper shows us a beautiful “light bulb moment 💡”. It is heartwarming to see how this worries boy has found in scentwork a safe space. Working that odour really helps him tune out all the scary things and focus on positive emotions and a fun task!

And oh he really works beautifully!
He’s a lucky boy an incredible human has found him!
Go Team Cooper 🌟🌟🌟🌟

12/08/2024

I love how every dog develops a unique way to process the environment and work the search.

Kijani does a first sniff to check, a second one to make sure he hasn’t missed anything and a third sniff to then read the scent picture more carefully and does a beautiful job to get to the odour source.

While excited a bit by the environment at the start, once settled, this boy really starts
to work and shine!
Testament to a very committed human!
So proud of you Team Kijani! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

12/08/2024

This weekend we have welcomed two new graduates in our Introduction to Scentwork course! These two handsome boys are very special to me. Beautiful puppies that have achieved so much in class. So different but in ways so similar as they both has to find the right environment to succeed.
And both of them supported by extraordinary humans!!
So proud of you all! Team Kijani and Team Cooper!
🤣😍

12/08/2024

To all puppy owners! Do not miss this opportunity
Pack & Clowder Vets

🐶 🐶 🐶 FREE WEBINAR 🐶 🐶 🐶

Register NOW to reserve your space and learn what you can do safely with your puppy, what to avoid, and get started with some puppy-safe skills.

08/08/2024

Service dogs are hard at work and need our respect. Follow these tips to help them and their handlers navigate public spaces with ease. 🐾💙

07/08/2024

For those of you waiting to hear from me (with emails or reports) please bear with me. We are experiencing an increased number of requests for help and training and for that I am super grateful to you all!
Thank you for entrusting me with your best furry friend, you know I love them all!
I will get back to you all by tomorrow!
Thank you again for your patience and support.

04/08/2024

When scentwork really is “for every dog”, handsome Jackson shows us that is his second class he got the hangs of the pipes. Look at that light 💡 bulb moment as he realises the clove is in the middle pipe!!

Love seeing this beautiful boy’s brain at work and his confidence increase as he tried so hard to work away from him human!

This is a very talented Team!! Good job!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

02/08/2024

Cat’s finally out of the bag!!

I am so thrilled and excited about this amazing collaboration 🤩😍
This is a dream come true, Fear Free professional coming together to give puppies the best start in life! Socialisation, life skills and preparing for stress free vet visits, the whole package for puppy classes. The best training games and the most advanced and evidence-based training and clinical skills prepare you and your pup for an amazing life together!
It’s going to be EPIC!!

Join us or share to all new puppy owners!!!

Fear Free Pets

01/08/2024

Puppies!!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩☺️🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

We are a dog daycare and groomers in Carlisle.

31/07/2024

THIS!!!! 🤩

Something I hear quite often.

“My dog is not food motivated”.

Let’s put motivation to the side for a second.

Generally what this statement means is the dog won’t take the food.
Instead of giving up take this as information.
There’s usually three reasons why the food is not being consumed.

1. The dog is scared. If I were about to sky dive, pumped with adrenaline and apprehension, the last thing I would want is to eat a box of chips whilst hanging over the edge of the plane. This is a biological reason not a motivation issue.

2. The dog is aroused or excited. Again let’s draw the parallel to humans, because we can. If I was sitting next to Tom Hardy I would not be able to stuff my face with my favourite cheese. Again this is a biological reason not a motivation issue.

3. The dog doesn’t consider the type of food worthy. In different environments or for different situations the reinforcer may need to be of a higher value. This is a motivation issue!
If I was to leave the job I love to do another job it would need to be a lottery win scenario.

Food is a primary reinforcer. Dogs like food. We all like food.
We use it in training because it’s ethical (so long as you aren’t going down the nothing in life free road!), accessible and easy to control.

Yes we can also use other tools. Environmental reinforcers and play (not used enough in my opinion). I’ll do a different post about that at a later date. But I always start with food. Here’s why.

If the dog can’t eat it is possibly because of reason 1 or 2 above. That information tells me the dog is not in any frame of mind to learn. I need to set the dog up to be open to learning so I have to change something.
“If the animal isn’t ready to learn then that is the first lesson”.

So when you feel like your dog won’t exchange behaviour for food reinforcement ask yourself 1,2 and 3 before you proceed.

Happy training
C💚

29/07/2024

Such great news!! Well done DFO Perth

DFO Perth is now proudly participating in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand Program.
Customers with hidden or invisible disabilities can wear a Sunflower pin, lanyard, or wristband to make their disability discreetly visible to those around them while shopping in our centre.
We encourage those who need assistance to look out for our centre staff wearing a white Hidden Disabilities supporter Sunflower lanyard, pin or wristband. Our staff will be happy to help you with any support or adjustments you may need.

For more information about the program, visit:
https://www.perth.dfo.com.au/news/hidden-disabilities-sunflower-program

29/07/2024

You know the hounds and I love a good remedial massage!!

Canine Remedial Massage Therapy is a holistic approach to improving dogs physical & mental wellbeing

28/07/2024

Violet has definitely embraced the independent gal sniffer life.

This little girl’s personality and talent are definitely coming out more and more as she gets more confident!

Watch this space coz she’s speedy!!

Such a good job Team Violet 🌟🌟🌟🌟

28/07/2024

Our intermediate sniffers are also learning some independent work and troubleshooting. Watch mindful sniffer Django meticulously follow that odour while their human learns to observe changes of behaviour while the nose follows the scent picture 🤩

I could watch this all day! So young and so talented!

Great work Team Django!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

28/07/2024

For all my clients that are in the area!

EzyBooking

27/07/2024

Searches are getting more and more challenging! Especially when we start going outside.

Also today we have learned that hides can be higher than we expect!
Akina and her human did a great job working this tricky hide and with distractions of the outside environment.

Great focus 🤩

Keep up the good work Team Akina 🌟🌟🌟🌟

27/07/2024

Our intermediate sniffers have learned some new skills in preparation of the next three classes that will be take them adventuring in some pretty cool locations!

Team Mowgli says “training the dog complete”. Please initiate training the human please 😂

In scentwork the most challenging part is learning to read our dogs.
Watch Mowgli read the scent picture and find the hide in his very first exterior search! This gorgeous boy’s confidence grows every class! So good to watch him sniff 😍

Amazing work Team Mowgli 🌟🌟🌟🌟

27/07/2024

Watch handsome Mr Cooper air scenting around that group of boxes and then confidently find the right one.

Sensitive man, Cooper has a very supportive human who is committed to provide a safe space for this boy to thrive. And they’re definitely on the right path!

Amazing job Team Cooper 🌟🌟🌟🌟